I looked down.
“Excuse me?”
“Initial fine.”
“You have forty-eight hours to submit a removal plan.”
“For equipment you have no authority to order removed.”
Bliss smiled.
It was the first smile she gave me.
“That attitude is exactly why enforcement exists.”
I looked at Rick.
“You actually signed off on this?”
His face hardened.
“I am an attorney.”
“Then you should know enough to check the easement before threatening a homeowner.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You may want to reconsider your tone.”
“I’m standing in my doorway holding coffee.”
“My tone seems calm.”
Bliss stepped closer.
“If the violation remains after forty-eight hours, additional penalties accrue.”
“How much?”
“Up to one thousand dollars per day depending on continued noncompliance.”
“That provision doesn't apply the way you think it does.”
“We’ll see.”
“You’re also threatening a lien?”
“If necessary.”
I set the coffee mug on a small table inside the door.
“Bliss.”
“Yes?”
“Before you do anything else, speak with counsel familiar with utility easements and regulated infrastructure.”
“We have counsel.”
Rick almost looked pleased.
I glanced toward him.
“Not Rick.”
His face reddened.
Bliss continued.
“I don't care what county inspector you paid.”
That changed my tone.
I looked directly at her.
“Be careful.”
She blinked.
“What?”
“You just suggested I bribed a public inspector because you dislike a generator.”
“I said no such thing.”
“You said exactly that.”
Rick intervened.
“Let’s keep this professional.”
“I would love that.”
I took the paper.
Did not crumple it.
The original version of this story eventually circulating through Whispering Pines said I crushed the violation notice and tossed it at her feet.
I did not.
Paper is evidence.
I folded it once.
“Thank you.”
Bliss looked surprised.
“You’ll remove the equipment?”
“No.”
“I’ll send this to counsel.”
“Then the fine stands.”
“Fine.”
Her smile returned.
“You're going to learn something about this community, Mr. Gable.”
I picked up my coffee.
“I hope so.”
I closed the door.
Barnaby looked at me.
“Don't.”
He wagged his tail.
“I know what you're thinking.”
He had no idea.
I went back to my computer.
Then forwarded the violation notice to David Rosen.
David was Cascade Grid Solutions’ general counsel.
Fifty-two.
Former energy regulatory attorney.
Brilliant.
Patient until somebody created unnecessary risk around electrical equipment.
His reply came eleven minutes later.
ARE THESE PEOPLE SERIOUS?
I called him.
“Apparently.”
“Did they inspect any records?”
“No.”
“The service upgrade was Cascade work.”
“I know.”
“The county issued permits.”
“I know.”
“The generator is behind screening and complies with their own noise rule.”
“I know.”
David went quiet.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing dramatic.”
“Send them a letter.”